Revealed: The new favourite to become next MasterChef host after BBC sacks 'heartbroken' John Torode

Daily Mail​

20 hours ago

A new favourite to become the next MasterChef host has been revealed after the BBC sacked a 'heartbroken' John Torode.
The Australian chef, 59, was axed from the cooking competition in an announcement from the broadcaster on Tuesday afternoon.
It came after a report into a series of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by his co-star Gregg Wallace, 60, which saw him sacked as a presenter this month.
The investigation also found John had once used an 'extremely offensive racist term', allegedly during some drinks after filming.
John posted to Instagram on Tuesday evening to say he had 'no recollection' of the incident and did not believe it had happened.
But in the wake of both the co-hosts' disgrace, Gogglebox star and Great British Menu presenter Andi Oliver, 62, has emerged as the favourite to replace them.
Bookies at What Are The Odds have said her chances stand at 5/2, or 28.6 per cent, boosted by her 'warmth and culinary credibility'.
The chef is also helped, they said, by her 'vibrant energy and authority' on Great British Menu, which she has variously judged and presented since 2016.
She would make history as the first black woman to present MasterChef if she were to be given the top job.
But Andi, who is a regular on Celebrity Gogglebox with her daughter, presenter Miquita Oliver, 41, is not alone as one of the bookmakers' top choices.
Close behind her is celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, 51, who has been rated at 3/1, or 25 per cent, for his 'accessible cooking style', 'likeable media persona' and 'devoted following'.
'With multiple restaurants, several BBC series, and a reputation for combining fine dining with everyday appeal, Kerridge is seen as a strong fit for MasterChef's evolving audience', the bookies added.
What Are The Odds analyst Dave James said: 'Andi Oliver remains the market leader but Tom Kerridge is attracting a lot of support.
'His profile is huge and he's one of the most trusted names in British food. This could come down to what direction the BBC wants – prestige, relatability, or a bit of both.'
Other names which could make the cut include Poppy O'Toole, 29, a Michelin-trained chef who has skyrocketed to fame on social media as the 'Potato Queen'.
At 4/1 or 20 per cent, she is followed by chef Angela Hartnett, 56, at 5/1 (16.7 per cent) and Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, 40, on 6/1 or 14.3 per cent.
Stars rated below them range from TV chefs James Martin, Nigella Lawson and Marcus Wareing, to food critic Grace Dent.
Even John's wife and fellow TV chef Lisa Faulkner, 53, still makes the top ten, at 14/1 or 6.7 per cent, despite his recent sacking.
It comes after John was left 'heartbroken' by discovering he had been dropped from MasterChef online.
A source told The Sun: 'He read about it on the BBC News website.
'Obviously he's heartbroken. He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report.'
Just after the news broke, the chef released a statement confirming he had not 'heard from anyone at the BBC' or the show's production company Banijay UK.
Even John's wife and fellow TV chef Lisa Faulkner (left, with John at the National Television Awards last year), 53, still makes the top ten, at 14/1 or 6.7 per cent, despite his recent sacking
His agent was reportedly called just 11 minutes before the BBC's announcement - and so 'hadn't a chance to call him' before word got out.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the BBC said that it does not 'tolerate racist language of any kind' and that it takes the finding 'extremely seriously'.
The move came after BBC director-general Tim Davie notably failed to back Torode and said he 'expects action to be taken' following the racism allegations.
He delivered the remarks as the BBC released its annual report - an occasion overshadowed by controversies for the second year in a row.
A witness of the moment at issue in John's sacking claimed he apologised instantly for using the term as he 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'.
No one complained at the time but the incident was brought up during Gregg's inquiry, they added.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him.
'This allegation - which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace - was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation.
Just after the news broke, the chef released a statement confirming he had not 'heard from anyone at the BBC' or the show's production company Banijay UK
'He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened.
'He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.
'The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken.
'John Torode's contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.'
Banijay UK has also now said it has decided not to renew his contract.
ITV are standing by under fire John, with sources at the channel telling MailOnline it will continue to broadcast John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen as scheduled on Saturday.
The much-loved cookery show, which launched in 2019, features John, 59, and his wife Lisa as they showcase their favourite recipes.
An ITV source said: 'There is no change to the ITV schedule and John and Lisa's Weekends will be broadcast as usual and will continue to air for the next three weeks.'
Meanwhile, BBC director general Mr Davie has insisted MasterChef can still prosper despite the loss of Gregg and John. Pictured: John and Lisa on This Morning earlier this month
It means the third episode of the tenth series of the show will be broadcast on ITV1 at 11.40am on Saturday.
There are also plans for the broadcaster to welcome John back later in the year with John & Lisa's Christmas Kitchen in December.
Meanwhile, BBC director general Mr Davie has insisted MasterChef can still prosper despite the loss of Gregg and John.
He said: 'The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this, if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.
'These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.'
The director general added: 'I think it's a great programme that's well loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals.
'It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we've got to make sure we're in the right place in terms of the culture of the show.'
A Banijay spokesperson said: 'In response to John Torode's statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously.
'The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018.
'This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.'
John is said to have been the subject of multiple allegations before only one - relating to 'racist language' - was upheld, The Telegraph has reported.
It comes after his co-star Gregg hit out at the BBC after a probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him as he warned he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled.
The report into Gregg's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', leaving the BBC to admit it 'could and should have' acted sooner on the MasterChef host.
The damning investigation also found two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' - including John - were upheld.
While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Gregg took aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'.
Warning it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation.
The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake.
'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal.
'For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last.
'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people.
'For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.'